TRADITIONS OF MEN
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. The word "tradition" comes from two Latin words: "trans,"
(over), and "dare," (to give) and means a giving over, a
delivery; thus, "instruction by word of mouth; an oral
transmission of information, beliefs, or customs from ancestors
to posterity without written records." (Webster)
B. When great reformers like Martin Luther began to challenge the
Catholic Church for Scriptural authority on many of its
practices, a council was convened in 1546, in which was
declared that Tradition should be regarded as divine authority
on equal basis with the Scripture.
1. The Catholic Dictionary on pages 41-42 says, "It is an
article of faith from a decree of the Vatican Council that
Tradition is a source of theological teaching distinct from
Scripture, and that it is infallible. It is therefore to be
received with the same internal assent of Scripture, for it
is the word of God."
2. The Catholic Catechism for Adults on page 11 says, "Do
you have to believe in Tradition? Yes, because it is the
Word of God and has equal authority with the Bible."
a. Thus, every Catholic today is duty-bound to accept
tradition as equal authority with the Bible.
C. What is truly sad is that many of the "Traditions" which were
introduced by the Catholic Church are still believed and
practiced by Protestantism today.
I. THE SCRIPTURES VERSUS HUMAN TRADITIONS.
A. The word "tradition" (Gr. paradosis) is found thirteen times in
the Greek New Testament, but only three times does it carry a
favorable connotation. In all of the other passages it incurs
the disfavor of Christ and the apostles.
1. In the three passages where the term is used favorably it is
plainly evident that the writer was talking about something
which he and other inspired individuals had taught. 1 Cor.
11:2; 2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6
a. It is evident that Paul is not talking about human
traditions which have been handed down by word of
mouth.
2. There was a time when Paul was very strict in following the
traditions of the fathers. Gal. 1:13-14
a. If he had not been so strict in following these
traditions, he, like others, would have accepted Jesus as
the Christ.
b. When he learned the truth, he denounced these
traditions and turned to the Lord.
c. Paul stressed his own authority. Gal. 1:15-17, 11-12
d. He warned in the strongest possible language against
any traditions that men might add. Gal. 1:8-9; Col. 2:8
II. JESUS VERSUS HUMAN TRADITIONS. We can learn much from the life
and teaching of our Lord about how we should view human
traditions.
A. JESUS DISREGARDED THE HUMAN TRADITIONS OF HIS DAY.
1. Plucking heads of grain on the Sabbath. Matt. 12:1-8
a. According to human tradition this was a kind of reaping,
or work, and thus was a violation of the law.
b. Jesus answered their objection by calling their attention
to four principles:
(1) By what David did. Vs. 3-4 The Sabbath law did
not keep one from satisfying his hunger, especially
in an emergency.
(2) By what the priest did. Vs. 5 The Sabbath was the
busiest day of the week for the priest. The apostles
were preforming a greater service than the priests.
(3) By His own Lordship. Vs. 6,8 Since He was God,
he had a right to do anything He wanted on the
Sabbath.
(4) By what Hosea said. Vs. 7 God's law of mercy to
those in service to Him would allow them to so act
on the Sabbath.
c. Notice that Jesus totally disregarded the traditions
which had grown up about the law of God.
(1) Thus, if Jesus were here on earth today, He would
keep the written law but would totally disregard the
traditions which have been handed down from one
generation to another.
2. Healing on the Sabbath. Mark 3:1-5; Luke 13:10-17
a. Again, according to their traditions healing was a type
of work and was therefore wrong to do on the Sabbath.
(1) It seems strange that they never stopped to think
that miraculous healing was of such unusual nature
that anyone who had that power could use it
anytime he wanted.
b. Jesus showed that the Sabbath was not violated when
one pulled a sheep out of a pit, or lead an ox or donkey
to the watering.
(1) Since man was of much more value than animals,
He could do this work for them on the Sabbath.
c. Notice, again, that Jesus totally disregarded the
traditions which the Jews had added to the law.
3. Eating with unwashed hands. Mark 7:1-5
a. The tradition of the elders said that a person must wash
his hands before he eats or he would become defiled.
They meant in a spiritual sense; thus, it was sinful
before God.
b. Jesus showed that their tradition was false. Mark 7:14-23
B. CONSIDER THE MANNER IN WHICH JESUS EXPOSED HUMAN TRADITIONS.
1. "God said...but you say..." Matt. 15:4-5; Mark 7:10-11
a. In this way Jesus drew a clear, sharp contrast between
the teaching of God with the teaching of man.
b. In this case the human tradition was not merely an
addition to the written word, but was a substitution for
what was written.
2. Sometimes people today become offended when a gospel
preacher contrasts their doctrines and practices with the
Bible.
a. The same result occurred back then. Matt. 15:12-14
3. Let's follow the steps of Jesus in exposing certain
traditions of men today.
a. God - Gal. 5:6; Acts 10:35; James 2:24. Man - "One is
saved by faith only."
b. God - Mark 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21. Man - "One is saved and
then he needs to be baptized."
c. God - 1 John 3:4; James 1:13-15; Ezek. 18:20. Man -
"Babies need to be baptized because they are born in
sin." Since babies do not inherit sin from their parents,
and since they cannot commit sin, it follows that babies
are not sinners.
4. Are we not Christ-like when we point out these
contradictions between God and man? Eph. 5:13; Jude 3
C. JESUS STRONGLY CONDEMNED HUMAN TRADITIONS.
1. Makes void the Word of God. Matt. 15:6; Mark 7:13
a. Their human traditions furnished a way for the child to
avoid the responsibility of honoring his parents. Mark
7:10-13
b. In this way the human tradition makes void or useless
the word of God. It keeps the word of God from
accomplishing its purpose in the life of the individual.
c. One can illustrate in many ways how human traditions
do this to the Word of God today.
(1) For example, the Word of God describes baptism as
a burial and resurrection from water. Rom. 6:4
(2) However, human tradition says that sprinkling or
pouring of water will do just as good, thus making
void or useless the Word of God.
2. Rejects the commandments of God. Mark 7:9
a. This is a stronger term than the phrase, "to make void."
(1) This pictures one flatly rejecting the commandment
of God in order to keep his tradition.
(2) The Word of God teaches one to be buried and
raised in baptism, but human tradition teaches him
to be pleased with sprinkling.
(3) The one who is sprinkled rejects that which God
demands.
3. Makes our worship vain. Matt. 15:9; Mark 7:7
a. Thus, Jesus taught that one renders a vain (empty,
worthless) worship when he follows the traditions of
men.
(1) God will not allow His law to be mixed and
contaminated with human traditions.
(2) Following the traditions and doctrines of men will
condemn us. There are many warnings against them
in the N.T. Col. 2:18-22
4. Makes us hypocrites before God. Matt. 15:7-9; Mark 7:6-7
a. It is a hypocritical service because if we truly wanted
to honor God, we would do exactly as He commanded, not
as man taught.
Concl.
A. There are many traditions found in Christianity today that are
not in harmony with the Word of God.
B. Here is a quote from the brotherhood paper, Gospel Minutes,
Vol. 45, No. 13, June 7, 1996)
1. "Dear brother Clem: So many in the church are wanting
change these days that some don't know what to believe.
What do you see in the Bible about lighting candles during
the Lord's Supper to 'get us in the mood'? Or clapping while
we sing...?"
2. Haven't these people learned anything from the Lord? Any
disciple of Jesus would have no problem dealing with such.
C. Let us hold to the written Word of God and reject all the
traditions and doctrines of men.
Chart #1
JESUS DISREGARDED HUMAN TRADITIONS
Plucking heads of grain on the Sabbath. Matt. 12:1-8
Healing on the Sabbath. Mark 3:1-5; Luke 13:10-17
Eating with unwashed hands. Mark 7:1-5
Chart #2
THE MANNER IN WHICH JESUS EXPOSED HUMAN TRADITIONS
"God says...but you say..." Matt. 15:4-5; Mark 5:10-11
People become offended. Matt. 15:12-14
Chart #3
GOD SAYS
Gal. 5:6; Acts 10:35; James 2:24
MAN SAYS
"One is saved by faith only."
GOD SAYS
Mark 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21
MAN SAYS
"One is saved and then he needs to be baptized."
GOD SAYS
1 John 3:4; James 1:13-15; Ezek. 18:20
MAN SAYS
"Babies need to be baptized because they are born in sin."
Chart #4
JESUS STRONGLY CONDEMNED HUMAN TRADITIONS
Makes void the Word of God. Matt. 15:6; Mark 7:13
Rejects the command of God. Mark 7:9
Makes our worship vain. Matt. 15:9
Makes us hypocrites before God. Matt. 15:7-9